City Council

CITY OF POCATELLO, IDAHO CITY COUNCIL REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 4, 2021 AGENDA ITEM NO. 1: The Regular City Council meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. ROLL CALL AND by Mayor Brian Blad. Council members present were PLEDGE OF Heidi Adamson, Roger Bray, Rick Cheatum, Linda Leeuwrik, ALLEGIANCE and Chris Stevens. Council member Claudia Ortega was excused. Mayor Blad led the audience in the pledge of allegiance. AGENDA ITEM NO. 2: The invocation was offered by Reverend Jim Jones, representing INVOCATION Blazing Grace Church. AGENDA ITEM NO. 3: Council was asked to consider the following business items: CONSENT AGENDA -PAYROLL AND (a) Consider the payroll and material claims for the month of MATERIAL CLAIMS February 2021 in the amount of $2,705,699.26. -ANIMAL SHELTER (b) Confirm the Mayor’s reappointment of Danielle Lewis-Ekstrom ADVISORY BOARD to serve as a member of the Animal Shelter Advisory Board, REAPPOINTMENT replacing Ronna Martinez who resigned. Danielle’s term will begin March 5, 2021 and expire February 17, 2022. -POCATELLO (c) Confirm the Mayor’s appointment of Victoria Bryd to serve as a DEVELOPMENT member of the Pocatello Development Authority Board of AUTHORITY Directors, replacing Scott Smith who resigned. Victoria’s term APPOINTMENT will begin March 5, 2021 and will expire May 1, 2023. -COUNCIL DECISION (d) Adopt the Council’s decision approving the annexation of a ANNEXATION OF parcel of land comprised of approximately 8.65 acres. The parcel APPROXIMATELY 8.65 is located east and southeast of the east end of Vista Drive and ACRES OF LAND will be zoned Residential Low Density (RL) with a LOCATED EAST AND Comprehensive Plan Map designation of Residential. SOUTHEAST OF THE EAST END OF VISTA DRIVE A motion was made by Mr. Cheatum, seconded by Ms. Leeuwrik, to approve items on the consent agenda. Upon roll call, those voting in favor were Cheatum, Leeuwrik, Adamson, Bray and Stevens. AGENDA ITEM NO. 4: Mayor Blad reminded the Council members of the March 11th CALENDAR REVIEW City Council Work Session at 9:00 a.m.; and the following meetings to be held on March 18th: Special City Council meeting at 2:00 p.m.; Clarification meeting at 5:30 p.m.; and Regular Council meeting at 6:00 p.m. Mayor Blad noted that the March 18th City Council Liaison/Work Session Clarification Meeting had been canceled. Mayor Blad announced that School District #25 Supplemental Levy and Recall Election is March 9th. Early voting at Bannock Elections Office ends March 5th. Annual Spring Clean Up at City Cemeteries begins March 29th. Crews will remove and discard all flowers and decorations. Citizens are asked to remove decorations, etc. they have placed on cemetery spaces if they wish to avoid disposal of the item by staff. Clean up is expected to continue through the end of April; Reminder: Face coverings REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING 2 MARCH 4, 2021 are required when individuals are in public places within the city of Pocatello. AGENDA ITEM NO. 5: This time was set aside for the Council to receive comments from PUBLIC HEARING the public regarding two proposed amendments within the -CDBG PROGRAM Program Year 2019, Community Development Block Grant YEAR 2019 ACTION (CDBG) Annual Action Plan. These amendments were reviewed PLAN AMENDMENT and recommended for approval by the CDBG Advisory Committee at their meeting on February 19, 2021. A 5-day written comment period began February 25, 2021 and concluded March 4, 2021. Following the public hearing, the Council may wish to approve the amendments and authorize the submission, including public comments, to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Mayor Blad opened the public hearing. Lisa Smith, CDBG Grant Administrator and Compliance Analyst, explained the two amendments to the PY2019 Action Plan. She stated the first amendment is to accept the third round of CARES Act funding, of $234,000.00 to add to the PY2019 Action Plan so that it can be used to prevent, prepare for and respond to COVID-19. Ms. Smith noted that adding those funds to the PY2019 Action Plan will allow agencies to apply for funding, following the standard application process for CDBG funds. She explained the second amendment will increase the budget for the COVID Emergency Assistance Program by $84,787.00. Ms. Smith added the program has already utilized $124,000.00 from the first round of CARES Act funding to assist Pocatello residents who have experienced a loss or reduction of income due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She noted this amendment would add the remaining $87,787.00 from the first round of CARES Act funding to the program. By increasing the budget, it will help Pocatello residents at risk of losing their housing and will allow staff to process the applications on the waiting list. Ms. Smith reported the CDBG Advisory Committee recommended approval of the amendments at the February 19, 2021 Special Meeting. She added that all public notice requirements were met. In response to a question from Council, Ms. Smith stated there are approximately twelve (12) applications on a waiting list for housing assistance. Mayor Blad announced that no written correspondence had been received. There being no public comments, Mayor Blad closed the public hearing. A motion was made by Mr. Bray, seconded by Ms. Stevens, to endorse the CDBG Advisory Committee’s recommendations and approve the amendments and authorize submission, including any public comments, to HUD. Upon roll call, those voting in favor were Bray, Stevens, Adamson, Cheatum and Leeuwrik. AGENDA ITEM NO. 6: Council was asked to consider a request from Love 2 Bid, LLC, -SHORT PLAT –LOVE represented by Rocky Mountain Engineering and Surveying, 2 BID SUBDIVISION (mailing address: 600 East Oak Street, Pocatello, ID 83201) for a short plat application to subdivide approximately 6.61 acres into four (4) lots. The subdivision includes a replat of Lot 3 Block 1 of the Prime Time Subdivision. The general location of the subject property is 3300 South 5th Avenue. Staff found the proposal compliant with all applicable standards with conditions. REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING 3 MARCH 4, 2021 A motion was made by Mr. Cheatum, seconded by Ms. Leeuwrik, to approve a request by Love 2 Bid, LLC, represented by Rocky Mountain Engineering and Surveying, for a short plat application to subdivide approximately 6.61 acres into four (4) lots with the following conditions; 1) all conditions on the Subdivision Application Staff Report shall be met; 2) all conditions set out in the Public Works Department Memorandum from Merril Quayle, P.E., dated, February 24, 2021, shall be met; 3) subdivision Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CCR’s), if applicable, shall be submitted to the City after recording of the final plat; 4) the plat shall conform to all State and local laws and ordinances; and 5) all other standards and conditions of Municipal Code not herein discussed but applicable to residential development shall apply and that the decision be set out in appropriate Council decision format and the proposed subdivision is located at 3300 South 5th Avenue. Upon roll call, those voting in favor were Cheatum, Leeuwrik, Adamson, Bray and Stevens. AGENDA ITEM NO. 7: Council was asked to consider the following requests regarding an –IFFT FOUNDATION IFFT Foundation Grant. GRANT TO ENHANCE THE OLD TOWN CONNECTION TRAIL -APPROVE GRANT a) Approve submittal of an IFFT Foundation grant application in APPLICATION the amount of $10,000.00; and if awarded -AUTHORIZE b) Authorize the Mayor’s signature on all necessary Program MAYOR’S SIGNATURE Agreement documents outlining the program. The Old Town Connection Trail is supported by the Terry First Planning Project done in 2018 as well as the Greenway Trail System Master Plan. This project includes an artfully painted 300-foot asphalt trail, street lights, fencing, bench, waste receptacles and paint for art on the concrete wall under the bridge and six columns. This IFFT grant would cover funding for electrical infrastructure and paint. This project has already been awarded multiple grants and this money would provide the remaining funding necessary. There is no local match. If awarded, this project is scheduled to be constructed this summer. A motion was made by Mr. Bray, seconded by Ms. Stevens, to approve an IFFT Foundation Grant application in the amount of $10,000.00 and authorize the Mayor to sign all necessary documents, subject to Legal Department review. Upon roll call, those voting in favor were Bray, Stevens, Adamson, Cheatum and Leeuwrik. AGENDA ITEM NO. 8: Council was asked to consider the following requests regarding an –IDAHO Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) ADA Curb Ramp Grant. TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT GRANT/ SFY2023 ADA CURB RAMP APPLICATION -GRANT a) Approve submittal of two grant applications to upgrade APPLICATIONS curb ramps at the intersections of Clark Street and 5th Avenue (first priority) and Clark Street and 4th Avenue (secondary priority) in the amount of $119,800.00; and if awarded REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING 4 MARCH 4, 2021 -AUTHORIZE b) Authorize the Mayor’s signature on the Program Agreement MAYOR’S SIGNATURE outlining the program. The Idaho Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Curb Ramp Program is a state-administered program that provides funding for projects to address curb ramps on the state highway system. There is no local match required and the design will be done in house. If approved, staff anticipates the grants to be awarded in fall of 2021 and funds will be available after July 1, 2022. A motion was made by Ms. Stevens, seconded by Mr. Cheatum, to approve the ITD ADA Curb Ramp Grant application in the amount of $119,800.00 and authorize the Mayor’s signature on all applicable documents, subject to Legal Department review. Upon roll call, those voting in favor were Stevens, Cheatum, Adamson, Bray and Leeuwrik. AGENDA ITEM NO. 9: Council was asked to accept staff recommendations and -BUS DONATION approve acceptance of a donation of one (1) 2008 Ford ACCEPTANCE FROM Starcraft cutaway bus from the Blackfoot Senior Center, subject BLACKFOOT SENIOR to Legal Department review. Staff anticipates the equipment CENTER – TRANSIT to be utilized for a minimum of five (5) years. If approved, DEPARTMENT the bus would be used for system-wide fixed route and door- to-door services. There are no additional requirements for acceptance of the donation. A motion was made by Ms. Adamson, seconded by Ms. Leeuwrik, to accept the donation of one (1) 2008 Ford Starcraft cutaway bus from the Blackfoot Senior Center, subject to Legal Department review. Upon roll call those voting in favor were Adamson, Leeuwrik, Bray, Cheatum and Stevens. AGENDA ITEM NO. 10: Council was asked to consider the Pocatello Police Department’s -ANNUAL TRADE AND recommendation and accept a quote from Salt Lake Wholesale PURCHASE OF (Blue Label Glock Dealer for Law Enforcement) for the HANDGUNS following firearms to be used by members of the –POLICE DEPARTMENT Pocatello Police Department: -TRADE-IN OF a) Trade-in 18 older Glock 21firearms; and if approved USED FIREARMS -PURCHASE OF b) Purchase 18 new Glock 17 MOS handguns. NEW FIREARMS Staff can purchase the new Glock handguns at a discounted rate of $255.50 per gun. Total purchase cost will be $4,599.00. Funds are available in the Police Department’s Fiscal Year 2021 budget. A motion was made by Ms. Leeuwrik, seconded by Ms. Stevens, to accept the Pocatello Police Department’s recommendation and accept a quote from Salt Lake Wholesale (Blue Label Glock Dealer for Law Enforcement) for the trade-in and purchase of firearms as outlined in Agenda Item No. 10(a) and 10(b) and that the total purchase cost will be $4,599.00. Upon roll call, those voting in favor were Leeuwrik, Stevens, Adamson, Bray and Cheatum. REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING 5 MARCH 4, 2021 AGENDA ITEM NO. 11: Council was asked to consider the Police Department’s -TRADE AND request to transfer firearms from evidence in PURCHASE accordance with Pocatello Police Department Policy and Idaho OF FIREARMS Code 55-403 regarding unclaimed property in possession of the -POLICE DEPARTMENT Police Department. The firearms will be traded locally for shotguns to be used as Less Lethal Shotguns. The firearms will be used by members of the Pocatello Police Department. -ABSORB EVIDENCE a) Absorb into the department inventory approximately two- INTO INVENTORY hundred seventy (270) firearms that have been removed from evidence; and if approved -TRADE-IN FOR b) Approve trade-in of the firearms to HUX Custom, a local NEW FIREARMS business, for new shotguns, to be used as Less Lethal Shotguns. A motion was made by Mr. Cheatum, seconded by Ms. Stevens, to accept the Police Department’s recommendation to transfer firearms from evidence in accordance with Police Department Policy and Idaho Code 55-403 regarding unclaimed property in possession of the Police Department to be traded locally for shotguns to be used as Less Lethal Shotguns as outlined in Agenda Item No. 11(a) and 11(b). Upon roll call, those voting in favor were Cheatum, Stevens, Adamson, Bray and Leeuwrik. AGENDA ITEM NO. 12: Council was asked to consider the following requests from -SURPLUS AND SALE the Police Department, subject to Legal Department review: OF SEIZED ASSET’S REQUEST -POLICE DEPARTMENT -DECLARE SEIZED a) Declare four (4) vehicles as surplus which were seized during VEHICLES AS ongoing investigations. The vehicles have been adjudicated SURPLUS and awarded to the Police Department by the Bannock County Prosecutor’s Office in accordance with Asset Forfeiture Laws; -DECLARE b) Declare two (2) vehicles as surplus that were purchased with PURCHASED narcotics funds and have been in use by the narcotics unit for VEHICLES AS SURPLUS several years; and -AUTHORIZE c) Authorize the sale of the vehicles through auction and authorize AUCTION AND the Mayor’s signature on all applicable documents, subject to MAYOR’S SIGNATURE Legal Department review. A motion was made by Ms. Stevens, seconded by Mr. Cheatum, to accept the Police Department’s request to declare vehicles as surplus, authorize the sale of vehicles through auction and authorize the Mayor’s signature on all applicable documents, subject to Legal Department review, as outlined in Agenda Item No. 12(a), 12(b) and 12(c). Upon roll call, those voting in favor were Stevens, Cheatum, Adamson, Bray and Leeuwrik. AGENDA ITEM NO. 13: Council was asked to approve submission of the following –AIRPORT grant applications and if awarded, approve acceptance and GRANT APPLICATIONS authorize the Mayor’s signature on all applicable documents: REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING 6 MARCH 4, 2021 -FAA CRRSA a) A grant application to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) AIRPORT under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental OPERATIONAL Appropriations Act (CRRSA) to be administered by the FAA. GRANT APPLICATIONS The grant in the amount of $1,014,820.00 to be used for the costs related to airport operations, personnel, cleaning, sanitization, janitorial services and combating the spread of pathogens at the airport; and -FAA CRRSA b) A grant application to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) AIRPORT under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental CONCESSIONS Appropriations Act (CRRSA) to be administered by the FAA. GRANT APPLICATION The grant in the amount of $9,344.00 to be used to provide relief from rent and minimum annual guarantee for on-airport car rental agencies and in-terminal airport concessioners. A motion was made by Mr. Bray, seconded by Ms. Stevens, to approve grant applications to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) under the Coronavirus Response Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSA) as outlined in Agenda Item No. 13(a) and 13(b) and authorize the Mayor’s signature on all applicable documents, subject to Legal Department review. Upon roll call, those voting in favor were Bray, Stevens, Adamson, Cheatum and Leeuwrik. AGENDA ITEM NO. 14: This time was set aside for Council to revisit Ordinance No. 3061, COUNCIL DISCUSSION an ordinance establishing standards for face coverings for REGARDING individuals when they are in public places, as approved by the ORDINANCE NO. 3061 Council November 19, 2020, effective November 21, 2020. -FACE COVERINGS Mr. Cheatum stated that when the City began the mask mandate and other health precautions, it was to preserve medical facilities to better serve the public. He explained that COVID-19 cases have been steadily declining since December, test sites are being closed and vaccines are becoming more available. A motion was made by Mr. Cheatum, seconded by Ms. Adamson, that an ordinance to repeal Ordinance No. 3061, an ordinance establishing standards for face coverings for individuals when they are in public places, be prepared by staff and presented for Council to consider at the Regular City Council meeting on March 18, 2021. Upon roll call, those voting in favor were Cheatum and Adamson. Bray, Leeuwrik and Stevens voted in opposition of the motion. The motion failed. In response to a question from Council, Jared Johnson, City Attorney, stated that Ordinance No. 3061 requires that it be visited by Council the first meeting of each month until it is repealed. Mr. Bray discussed how COVID-19 cases in surrounding communities have increased after mask mandates were lifted. He feels that it is too soon to repeal the ordinance with spring breaks coming up. Mr. Bray mentioned that having two freeways and the airport here, many people travel through our community. He added that he has heard from businesses that appreciate that the pressure is off of them to enforce mask wearing by having the mask mandate in place. Ms. Leeuwrik stated she is committed to listening to local experts from the Health Department, hospitals and other local medical staff. She noted that they are saying to keep the mandate. COVID- 19 case numbers are going down, but they still are not ideal. Ms. Leeuwrik expressed she looks at REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING 7 MARCH 4, 2021 wearing masks as a way to keep businesses open. She stated that the mask mandate should stay until more people can be vaccinated. Ms. Stevens expressed her gratitude to the community for stepping up and wearing masks to do their part in fighting the pandemic. She stated that she doesn’t want to undo all their efforts by repealing the mandate too early. A motion was made by Ms. Adamson, seconded by Mr. Cheatum, that an Ordinance to repeal Ordinance No. 3061 be prepared by staff and presented to Council at the April 1, 2021 meeting and if the repeal Ordinance fails, continue to prepare and present a repeal Ordinance for Council consideration at the first Regular City Council meeting of every month until it does pass. Upon roll call, those voting in favor were Adamson, Cheatum, Bray, Leeuwrik and Stevens. AGENDA ITEM NO. 15: There were no individuals signed up to speak during this agenda ITEMS FROM THE item. AUDIENCE AGENDA ITEM NO. 16: There being no further business, Mayor Blad adjourned the ADJOURN meeting at 6:59 p.m. APPROVED BY: BRIAN C. BLAD, MAYOR ATTEST AND PREPARED BY: KONNI R. KENDELL, CITY CLERK PREPARED BY: WENDY A. PRATHER, DEPUTY CITY CLERK